GeoTravelTales: MARAMURES – LOVE, GREEN, TRADITION 4 days/2014

Romania it's one of the most beautiful countries in the world who keeps alive it's traditions and preserves it's nature. In this article, I present to you – Maramures – a land of mythological richness, unbeliveble landscapes and unique wooden churches, situated in the northen.

Our trip started from Bucharest, in octomber, 10 hours drive. The roads were very good, with one exception: Prislop Step. If you don't want to distroy your car stay away from this road :).


View from Prislop

After we arrived in Viseu de Sus, we made our check-in and we went for a ride on Iza valley and we visited Barsana Monastery, one of tallest wooden churches in the world, included in the UNESCO's World Heritage, for 1 euro/pers (ticket+fotoshooting). I must say, it's beyond beauty :) ! We were also amazed by Iza valley which has impressive landscapes. We even walked on the field full of flowers to feel it's fragrance although the ground was soft :)).

Iza valley

Barsana Monastery

The second day, we went to Sapanta Merry Cemetery, also included in UNESCO World Heritage, for 3 euro/pers (ticket+fotoshooting), situated in Sapanta village, 70 km away from Viseul de Sus. It's unique in the world and it has different characteristics like: wooden crosses painted in vivid colors with carved images that shows the characteristic attitudes of the deceased's lifetime's and with epitaphs which are short poems written in the first person like a confession of the deceased himself. Some are funny some are sad, but we enjoyed reading every confession.

Sapanta Merry Cemetery

After this one of a kind visit :), we stopped to visit the Village Museum from Sighetul Marmatiei, for 0,5 euro/pers, an assembly of folk architecture and technics, which presents a set of old houses and annexes specific to the region.

House from Village Museum


House interior from Village's Museum

The 3rd day, we went to Mocanita's Station, to go for a ride in the National Park of Maramures Mountains, but that day it was closed (call them before planning your trip) and we decided afterall to walk 'till there. Take sandwichies with you because there aren't restaurants. On the way there are little villages and a lot of green :). The only thing that was bothering us was the sound of the chainsaws which were coming from behind the mountains and it never stopped. I think locals are cutting trees :(.

Vaser valley

The 4^th day, on the way back to Bucharest, we stopped to visit Viscri viilage and Viscri Fortified Church, the oldest fortified transilvanian church, also Unesco's World Heritage, for 1 euro/pers. If you look for it on several maps it doesn's say nothing about it. The village it's like taken from a fairy tale and located in Romania! Even Prince Charles bought a house in this amazing village and does all his best to preserve it. We were happy to see that the locals were doing their same ancient crafts: crochet, smith, pottery, etc. We felt like we were back in time 100 years ago.